ENIC, the former investment trust, still wants to buy a Premier League football club despite its rebuff last month by Tottenham Hotspur.

Finance director Gerry McSloy said a Premier League franchise remained a desirable commodity. "We would look at any of the clubs with top 10 league status."

Enic, now a fully listed company, lost pounds 4.5m in the 15 months to 30 June compared to a pounds 1.37m profit the year before. Losses per share were 5.73p (3.08p earnings). The shares fell 1p to 143p.